SOMERSET — When Morgan Deplitch auditioned in August for a chance to compete on this season's "American Idol" reality singing competition, it was purely for fun.

"At first, I went in like it was a joke," said Deplitch, a Somerset Berkley Regional High School sophomore. "When I saw all the people competing, I felt I had to get serious."

"I have to get this," Deplitch thought.

Deplitch, who has been singing since she was a child, apparently hit all the right notes and wowed the judges.

She will be featured tonight on the season premiere of "American Idol" among the auditions filmed in the Boston and Austin areas. The show will be hosted by Ryan Seacrest, and a new all-star judging panel with Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr., along with in-house mentor Randy Jackson.

"American Idol" searches nationwide for those with the potential to become a successful recording artist and join the ranks of "Idol" winners Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Scotty McCreery and Phillip Phillips.

Deplitch said when she found out she had a shot at being the next "American Idol," "I didn't even know what to say. I was speechless."

Deplitch is no stranger to being sought out for her singing talent.

As a freshman, she was crowned queen of the Somerset Musictown Festival from a pool of more than a dozen Somerset Berkley Regional High School candidates in 2013 — one of just two freshman students in four decades to ever be festival queen.

Deplitch also sings in her high school show choir, concert choir and chorale.

Singing, according to Deplitch, is something she gets from her late father Bradley Earl Deplitch.

Deplitch said her dad played piano and sang. He died from a heart attack at the age of 48. Deplitch was just a year and a half old at the time.

"I guess you could call him my muse," Deplitch said. "I was lucky to get his talents."

Deplitch, in addition to singing, plays guitar, drums and piano. She said she got her start with lessons at T.J.'s Music in Fall River and has participated in talent shows and performed in musicals.

"This is definitely what I want to do," Deplitch said. "My dream is obviously to be a super star. In reality, I'd like to sing for people who really want to hear me."

Deplitch is the daughter of Marie Deplitch, and the youngest sister of Ashley, Brittany and Alexis Deplitch, and Vanessa Benevides. Her brother-in-law, Matthew Benevides, a sort of "second dad" to her, escorted her as Musictown Festival queen.

Deplitch said her family is "really encouraging" when it comes to her singing.

"American Idol" auditions will air Wednesday at 8 p.m. on Fox. They will continue on Thursday from Austin and San Francisco, and from other cities throughout the month of January. Contestants who move on from the audition stage will compete in a "Hollywood or Home" round, airing on Wednesday, Feb. 5.